The Tilleul, the image of majesty and opulence
Legend says that it was the leaf of a heart-shaped linden tree that landed on Siegfried ‘s back , the only vulnerable place in his body after he bathed in the blood of the vanquished dragon ( saga of the Nibelungen ). The genus Tilia includes many species and hybrids. More than 100 taxa have been counted for these lime trees, some of which could live up to 1000 years. The medieval historian Michel Pastoureau remarked that the lime tree, throughout its history, has never given rise to anything bad or sinister, and that everywhere it has remained the image of majesty and opulence that dresses it. In the past, it was recognized to be so valuable, which can take various forms, that a...
See article